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October 22, 2012: Third Presidential Debate

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How the four debates shaped the 2012 presidential race, and what may happen next

By Tom Cohen, CNN updated 3:58 PM EDT, Wed October 24, 2012

Mitt Romney waited until the presidential debates in the final five weeks of the election campaign to make his long-anticipated shift to the political center after previously espousing strongly conservative stances to win the Republican nomination.

The move appeared to catch President Barack Obama by surprise at their first face-to-face match up. His lackluster performance against a strong showing by Romney helped the former Massachusetts governor to catch, and in some places, pass the president in the polls.

The roller-coaster ride of the 2012 campaign has been particularly volatile because of the more than two dozen debates dating back to last year, including three presidential showdowns...

FULL STORY
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Candidate Side by Side

Barack Obama
44th President of the United States
Barack Obama
Campaign Finance
Total Raised, year to date:
$715,677,692.00
Total Spent:
$683,546,548.00
Cash on Hand:
$5,397,399.00
Debt:
$7,223,153.00
0
$100m
$250m
$500m

As of November 2012

Ad Spending
$325.1 Million
As of November 06, 2012
Top 5 States:
  • 1. Florida, $67.8 Million
  • 2. Ohio, $55.3 Million
  • 3. District of Columbia, $27.6 Million
  • 4. Colorado, $25.9 Million
  • 5. Nevada, $21.8 Million

Twitter@BarackObama
This weekend, show our men and women in uniform some appreciation. #MemorialDay http://t.co/qRRP8l7qdA
Posted at 12:03 pm ET on Friday, May 24th, 2013
Hold your representatives in Congress accountable. Call out #climate change deniers in the House and Senate today: http://t.co/MtraxuxB5F
Posted at 10:21 am ET on Friday, May 24th, 2013
Tell your senators: The time for comprehensive #ImmigrationReform that fuels innovation is now. http://t.co/FYydM6yaCF #iMarch
Posted at 6:13 pm ET on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
Don't miss @JonCarsonOFA's #iMarch town hall, starting now. Tweet him your questions about how #OFA is fighting for #ImmigrationReform.
Posted at 10:59 am ET on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
FACT: Immigrants start over 25% of all businesses in 7 out of the 8 fastest-growing sectors of our economy. (via @renewoureconomy) #iMarch
Posted at 10:22 am ET on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
FACT: Over 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by an immigrant or child of an immigrant. (via @MarchforInnov) #iMarch
Posted at 6:33 pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
If you're in for the #iMarch for #ImmigrationReform, tweet your senators now and tell them to get it done: http://t.co/ygY39KzWxG
Posted at 4:35 pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
FACT: Immigrant-owned businesses generated $775 billion in revenue for the economy in 2011. (via @renewoureconomy) #iMarch
Posted at 2:07 pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Last night, Democrats and Republicans came together to send an #ImmigrationReform bill to the Senate floor. Time to finish the job. #iMarch
Posted at 1:09 pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Tell Congress we need smart #immigration reform to attract & keep talent in the US. Add your voice here: http://t.co/KTfqiVfhKS #iMarch
Posted at 12:07 pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
How can you help pass comprehensive #ImmigrationReform? Join the #iMarch and tweet your senators today: http://t.co/f0rHTafrKt
Posted at 10:11 am ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
There's a huge virtual march for #ImmigrationReform today. Tweet the Senate to be a part of it: http://t.co/GebfvubYKD #MarchForInnovation
Posted at 9:08 am ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Tell Congress to seize this moment and get comprehensive #ImmigrationReform passed. Join us this week: http://t.co/oYYwv3yJOk
Posted at 10:36 pm ET on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Join the @MarchforInnov to let Congress know that you support #ImmigrationReform to fuel American innovation: http://t.co/oYYwv3yJOk
Posted at 5:17 pm ET on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
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Obama Online
Mitt Romney
Former Governor of Massachusetts
Mitt Romney
Campaign Finance
Total Raised, year to date:
$446,135,997.00
Total Spent:
$433,281,516.00
Cash on Hand:
$12,921,629.00
Debt:
$1,200,000.00
0
$100m
$250m
$500m

As of November 2012

Ad Spending
$141.8 Million
As of November 06, 2012
Top 5 States:
  • 1. Florida, $33.7 Million
  • 2. Ohio, $25.9 Million
  • 3. District of Columbia, $14.3 Million
  • 4. Colorado, $13.5 Million
  • 5. North Carolina, $12.3 Million

Twitter@MittRomney
Praying for those affected by today's tornadoes. Please consider contributing to the @redcross http://t.co/9foe6RmjTK #PrayForOklahoma
Posted at 7:13 pm ET on Monday, May 20th, 2013
.@anndromney and I had a great time on the #TonightShow. Thanks @jayleno for the lift home! http://t.co/GK5YWleV2J
Posted at 8:43 pm ET on Friday, May 17th, 2013
Happy Mother's Day to @AnnDRomney, whose profession is the most important, demanding and rewarding I know. http://t.co/0fMMhFuo6E
Posted at 9:27 am ET on Sunday, May 12th, 2013
Enjoyed speaking to the @SVUedu class of 2013. Wish them luck as they jump into the deep waters of life. http://t.co/UJD3wKEiFg
Posted at 11:31 am ET on Sunday, April 28th, 2013
Our hearts are heavy with the news out of Boston today. #PrayforBoston
Posted at 4:36 pm ET on Monday, April 15th, 2013
Congrats to President Bush and @laurawbush on the arrival of their first grandchild. A good start!
Posted at 9:39 am ET on Monday, April 15th, 2013
History will enshrine Margaret Thatcher as a transformational leader http://t.co/XHTVHRQnqE
Posted at 1:45 pm ET on Monday, April 8th, 2013
Great season #hottytoddy RT @DGJackson Tough loss tonight. Still proud of my Ole Miss Rebels.
Posted at 11:10 pm ET on Sunday, March 24th, 2013
Celebrating 44 years with my sweetheart today. Happy anniversary, @AnnDRomney http://t.co/ZerdlIRrDH
Posted at 3:42 pm ET on Thursday, March 21st, 2013
Our nation is still full of aspirations and hungry for new solutions. We’re a nation of invention and of optimism http://t.co/l9wsXm8Iwp
Posted at 1:49 pm ET on Friday, March 15th, 2013
RT @AnnDRomney Lucky me, with Craig and Mary's new twins born today, I become grandmother to 20! http://t.co/ue8ELptm
Posted at 7:22 pm ET on Thursday, February 14th, 2013
From the bottom of our hearts, Ann and I thank you for your support, prayers, efforts, & vote. We are forever grateful to every one of you.
Posted at 2:37 pm ET on Saturday, November 10th, 2012
With your help, we will turn our country around and get America back on the path to prosperity. Please vote today http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 5:55 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
It’s time to turn the page on the last four years. Get your friends and family and go vote: http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 4:53 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
We can’t afford four more years like the last. Vote today to ensure that the future will be better than the past http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 3:52 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
I am asking for your vote because I want to keep America the hope of the earth. Find out where to vote: http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 2:57 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
Together we can bring real change to this country. Help get out the vote: http://t.co/hXWMP4Mt
Posted at 1:47 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
.@PaulRyanVP and I are offering real reforms for a real recovery. Help us deliver it – get out and vote today http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 12:38 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
This is it. Make sure you vote today. Find your polling location: http://t.co/uYh0QcDS http://t.co/azS2chbB
Posted at 11:11 am ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
A brighter future is out there waiting for us. Let’s choose it today. http://t.co/D0TsMzjB
Posted at 9:21 am ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
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Romney Online